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RULES 



FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF THE 



SCHOOL COMMITTEE 



OF THE 



CITY OF SILEM; 



TO WHICH ARE ADDED THE 



REGXJL^TIOIsrS 



OF THE 



PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 



Printed by Charles W. Swasey, at No. 27 Washington Street. 

1862. 



At a meeting of the School Committee of the City of Salem, 
June 30, 1 862, the following Order was passed : — 

Ordered, That the Eeport of the Select Committee on Rules and 
Regulations, with the subsequent amendments, be adopted as the 
Rules of this Board and the Regulations of the Public Schools, 
until otherwise ordered, to take effect on and after the tenth day of 
July next ; and that five hundred copies of the same be printed. 

Attest: J. Cloutman, 

Sec'y of School Committee. 



Note. After a portion of this edition had gone through the 
press, and with the advice of the City Solicitor, Section 21 was add- 
ed to Chapter 5, repealing Section 4 thereof, and perhaps modifying 
other Sections. 



• \ 



q9^ 



^ 



INDEX 



Accounts, pages 6, 11 ^ 

Adjournment, 12, 13 

Age of Pupils 0.19, 23 \ 

Amendments to Rules & Reg's, 14, 15 

Attendance of Pupils, 29 

Bible, Reading of the, 27 

Books, 8, 9, 10, 13, 17, 18, 28, 32 

Buildings and Grounds, 8, 10, 30 

Chairman, 4. 5 

Chairman, Duties and Pow- 
ers of, 6, 12, 13, 15, 25 

Chairmen of Visiting Com- 
mittees, 5, 7 — 10 

City Council, 11 

Classification, 23, 31 

College, Pupils fitting for, . . . .22, 24 

Committees, Select 13, 14 

Committees, Standing, 5, 14, 15 

Diplomas, 24 

Discipline, 8, 27, 28, 32 

Districts, 9, 29 

Examinations,. 8, 9, 21, 22, 23, 31, 32 
Executive Com'tee,. .5, 10, 11, 17, 18 

Expenditures 10, 14 

Fuel, &c., Supply of, 10 

Grammar Schools,. . .7, 20, 21, 22, 30 

Health of Pupils, 26, 30 

High School 7,22,23,26,27 

Holidays 25 

Hours of Attendance, 25, 26, 27 

Intermediate Schools, 7, 19, 30 

Janitors 10, 11 

Mayor, 4, 5, 10 

Meetings of the Board, . . 6, 7, 12, 18 

Messenger, 5,7 

Morals, 27 

Order, Questions of, 14 

Organization of the Board, . .4, 5, 6 



Oversight of Schools, 8, 31 

Parents, &c.. Complaints from, ...9 

Physical Exercises, 30 

Pres't of Common Council, 4, 5, 10 

Primary Schools, 7, 19, 30 

Punishments 8, 28, 31 

Pupils, Admission of.. 19— 23, 28, 29 
Pupils, Suspension and Ex- 
pulsion of 28, 29 

Pupils, Transfer of. 20, 29 

Quorum, 2, 12, 15 

Recess 25, 26, 30 

Reconsideration, 13 

Records, 6, 7, 9, 12, 18, 22, 31 

Register 23, 31 

Regulations of Schools, 11, 14, 19—32 

Reports, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15 

Returns, 8, 10, 31 

Rules of the Board, 5 — 18 

Salaries, 11, 16, 17 

Secretary, 5, 6, 12 

Sex of Pupils, 20, 22 

Special Committees,.. 8, 10, 17, 26, 31 

Studies, 9, 19—24, 30, 31 

Substitutes, 16, 32 

Suspension of Rules & Reg's, 14, 15 
Teachers, Appointment 

and Salaries of, 11, 15, 16, 17 

Teachers, Assignment of. .20, 21 — 24 
Teachers, Duties & Powers 

of, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 26—32 

Terms, 24 

Time, Arrangement of, 24 — 26 

Vacations, 25—27 

Vaccination, 30 

Visitation of Schools, 8, 9 

s^isit'g Committees, 5, 7—9, 11, 15, 31 
Vqtes, 2, 13, 14, 15 



The following extract from an amendment to the City Charter, 
which was adopted Nov. 8, 1858, shows the manner in which the 
Board of School Committee of Salem is constituted : « 

" Sect. 2. The school committee shall consist of twenty, three 
of whom shall be elected by the legal voters of each ward, in man- 
ner as follows : — At the next annual municipal election, each ward 
shall elect three school committee men, one of whom shall serve 
three years, one, two years, and one, one year; * =* * =^ * * 
and in each succeeding year, at the annual municipal election, each 
ward shall elect one school committee man, who shall serve three 
years ; and the ward clerk shall, within twenty-four hours, deliver 
to each person so chosen a certificate of his election, and shall 
forthwith deliver to the city clerk a certified copy of the record of 
the election ; and if it shall happen that there is a failure of an elec- 
tion, or if the person or persons so elected shall refuse to serve, such 
person or persons refusing to serve shall communicate in writing 
his refusal to the city clerk ; and the mayor and aldermen shall 
thereupon, as soon as may be, issue a warrant for a new election ; 
and if there shall be a vacancy in such committee, by reason of the 
death, resignation or removal from the city, or otherwise, of any 
member of the school committee, the mayor and aldermen shall 
thereupon issue their warrant for an election, to be held in the 
ward where such vacancy occurs, to fill the remainder of the time 
which such member had to serve. The mayor and president of the 
common council shall be members ex-officiis of the school commit- 
tee, and the mayor shall be chairman of the board. Such school 
committee shall have the same powers and perform the same duties, 
as they now have and perform by law." 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 88, §41. 



UTILES 



OF THE 



BOARD OF SCHOOL COMMITTEE. 



CHAPTER I. 

OBGANIZATION OF THE BOARD. 

Section 1. The Mayor sball be Chairman of the Board, 
as provided in the City Charter,** and in case of his absence 
or his disability from any cause, all his powers and duties 
herein conferred shall devolve upon the President of the 
Common Council, or upon the Chairman of the First, Sec- 
ond or Third Visiting Committee, who shall have precedence 
according to the above order. 

Sec. 2. At the organization of the Board, and when- 
ever thereafter the office becomes vacant, a Secretary shall 
be appointed by ballot, who shall hold office at the pleasure 
of the Board. ^ 

Sec. 3. The City Messenger shall be Messenger of the 
Board. ^ 

Sec. 4. Three Visiting Committees and an Executive 
Committee shall be the Standing Committees of the Board. 

a. City Charter, amended, 1858, §2. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §22. 

c. City Ordinance of 1862. 



6 
CHAPTER II. 

DUTIES OF OFFICERS. 

Section 1. The Chairman shall preside, when present, 
at meetings of the Board; shall receive all communications, 
and sign all documents in their behalf." He shall be au- 
thorized to call special meetings of the Board, and shall 
be required to do so upon the request of any three members. 
He shall always call a special meeting as soon as may be 
after the annual election of members, for the purpose of or- 
ganization. It shall also be his duty to call the attention of 
the Board from time to time to any subjects coming within 
the sphere of their duties. 

Sec. 2. It shall be the duty of the Secretary^ to keep a 
permanent record of all the votes, orders, and proceedings of 
the Board, with a separate record of all accounts passed by 
the Board, completing the record of each meeting on the 
day succeeding that on which said meeting was held ; to 
preserve files of all communications addressed to the Board, 
and of all Reports of Committees; to notify all meetings of 
the Board, and of the several Committees, by causing a 
written notification to be left by the Messenger at the resi- 
dence of each member ; to cause to be printed, as soon as 
may be after the organization of the Board, a list of the 
members thereof, with the schools to the charge of which 
they are specially assigned, and to furnish copies of the same 
to members of the Board and Principals of the schools ; and 
to perform such other clerical duties as the Board may from 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 40, §11. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §22, and City Ordinances Kevised, p. 46, and City- 
Ordinances of 1862. 



time to time direct, ** He shall not suffer any record or paper 
to be taken from his custody except by order of the Board. 

Sec. 3. It shall be the duty of the Messenger to cause 
the rooms, assigned for the use of the Board and its sub- 
committees, to be in readiness for their meetings ; to deliver 
all notifications, documents, and messages; and to per- 
form all duties appropriate to his office, as he may be di- 
rected by the Chairman, Secretary, or any member of the 
several Committees. 

CHAPTER III. 

VISITING COMMITTEES. 

Section 1. As soon as may be after the annual organiza. 
tion, three Visiting Committees shall be appointed by the 
Chairman, in such manner that each elective member of the 
Board may be a member of one Visiting Committee, and of 
not more than one. 

The First Visiting Committee shall consist of two or 
more members, who shall have charge of the High School. 

The Second Visiting Committee shall consist of seven or 
more members, who shall have charge of the Grammar 
Schools. 

The Third Visiting Committee shall consist of seven or 
more members, who shall have charge of the Intermediate 
and Primary Schools. 

Sec. 2. The several Visiting Committes, as soon as may 
be after their appointment, shall elect Chairmen by ballot. 
Sec. 3. The Chairman of each Visiting Committee shall 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 40, §11. 



8 

assign to each school a sub-committee, of one or more menr- 
bers, to be styled the Special Committee of that school. 

Sec. 4, <* It shall be the duty of each member to main- 
tain a constant oversight of the school or schools placed under 
his charge. For this purpose, and with a view to ascertain- 
ing that the scholars are properly supplied with books, he 
shall, in conformity with the laws of the Commonwealth, 
visit such school or schools on some day during the first two 
weeks, and on some day during the last two weeks of each 
term, and also at least once in each month, without giving 
previous notice to the teachers. He shall, at such visits, 
make a careful examination of such school or schools, inquire 
into the regulation and discipline thereof, the habits and pro- 
ficiency of the scholars therein, the organization and methods 
of instruction adopted, the condition of the school houses, 
grounds, out-buildings and fences, and generally shall ac- 
quaint himself with all causes operating favorably or in- 
juriously upon the welfare of the school or schools under his 
supervision. He shall receive the semi-annual returns from 
the Principal, and, after examining the same, shall forward 
them to the Chairman of the Visiting Committee, together 
with such comments on the condition of the school or schools 
as his acquaintance therewith shall suggest. He shall be 
expected to visit other schools than those under his special 
charge, as often as his convenience will permit. 

It shall also be his duty to give his advice to the teachers 
in matters of importance, to make careful inquiry into every 
case of misconduct formally reported by a Principal, and to 
prescribe in writing the penalty to which, in every such case, 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §26; ch. 40, §§2,4,5,6,9; ch. 42, §2; and ch. 41, §2. 



9 

the offending scholar shall be subjected ; and also to receive 
the complaints of parents, masters, or guardians, against 
teachers for undue severity or neglect in the treatment of 
scholars, and to present such complaints to the Board, in 
writing, whenever he shall deem the same of sufficient im- 
portance to require investigation.^ 

In all cases his decision shall be subject to the revision of 
the Board, upon the application either of the parent, master, 
or guardian of the offending scholar, or of the teacher. 

Sec. 5. The Chairmen of the several Visiting Commit- 
tees shall appoint Examinations of the Schools under their 
care during the last month of each School Year; and shall 
cause a notice of the time and place of each examination 
to be given to every member of the Board. The Chair- 
men shall attend the Examinations, and shall visit every 
school in their respective divisions at least once in each term. 

They shall also prepare, or cause to be prepared, the An- 
nual Reports upon the schools under their care; which 
Reports shall be laid before the Visiting Committees as soon 
as may be after the Examinations, and, when approved, shall 
be submitted to the Board, 

Sec. 6. It shall be the general duty of the several 
Visiting Committees to recommend Text-books * and Studies ; 
to prescribe the form of Record Books'^ to be used in the 
several schools; to decide upon the manner of conducting 
Examinations, and to assign the limits of the district per- 
taining to each school.^ 

a. 8 Cush. Rep'ts, 160. 23 Pick'g do,, 224. Gen. Stat. ch. 41, §§10, 11, 12. 

b. Gen, Stat, ch, 38, §28, 

c. Post ch. vii, §3, and Eegulations of the Schools. 

d. Gen, Stat, ch, 38, §40, and ch. 41, §3, 



10 

Sec. 7. The Special Committee of each school is author- 
ized to expend a sum of money not to exceed ten dollars per 
annum, for incidental expenses of said school. 

CHAPTER IV. 

EXEODTTIVE COMMITTEE. 
Section 1. The Executive Committee shall consist of the 
Mayor and President of the Common Council and the Chair- 
men of the several Visiting Committees. The duties of the 
Executive Committee shall be as follows : 

1. To prepare, and cause to be printed and distributed, 
blank forms for the semi-annual Returns of the Principals, 
and to prepare the Annual Report and the Annual Returns 
and Certificate required by law to be transmitted to the 
Secretary of the Board of Education.** 

2. To consider and report upon the expediency of alter- 
ing or repairing school-houses, and to superintend such 
special alterations and repairs as may be authorized by the 
Board ; and to provide for all slight repairs which may re- 
quire immediate attention. 

3. To supply fuel and all necessary articles of furniture 
and stationery ; to appoint Janitors to take charge of school- 
houses at such rate of compensation as shall be authorized 
by the Board, such Janitors to be amenable to the Special 
Committees of the respective schools. 

4. To procure a supply of such books, maps, and 
apparatus, to be used in the schools, as it may be necessary 
to furnish at the expense of the city.* 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 34, §3, and ch. 40, §§2, 4, 5, 6, 9. 
h. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §29. 4 Cushing's Reports, p. 599. 



11 

5. To receive and audit all accounts against the Board, 
and to cause a roll of such accounts as may have been ex- 
amined and approved by them to be laid before the Board 
at each regular meeting. 

6. To recommend to the Board the Salaries to be paid to 
Teachers and Janitors, and to prepare and report estimates 
of all appropriations which may be required for the use of 
the School Committee, and to present the same, when ap- 
proved by the Board, for the consideration of the City 
Council, on or before the fourth Monday in April. 

7. To decide upon the application of teachers and 
scholars to be relieved from the enforcement of the Regula- 
tions in extraordinary cases, in which the application is ac- 
companied by the written recommendation of a member of a 
Visiting Committee. 

8. To devise and recommend, in their annual or special 
reports, all such measures as they shall deem adapted to 
promote the economy, efficiency, and advancement of the 
system of public instruction. 

Sec. 2. The Annual Report shall comprise copies of or 
extracts from the Annual Reports of the Executive and 
Visiting Committees, with such other matter as may be 
deemed proper, and shall, after being approved by the Board, 
be prepared in sufficient season to be duly transmitted to the 
Secretary of the Board of Education, together with the An- 
nual Certificate and Return required by Law.* 

Sec. 3. The Executive Committee shall regularly meet 
once in each month, at such times as they shall appoint; and 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 40, §6. 



12 

shall bold special meetings whenever the Chairman, at his own 
instance, or upon the request of any member, shall direct 
the Secretary to notify the same; and three members shall 
constitute a quorum. 

CHAPTER V. 

MEBTlWaS OF THE BOARD. 

Section 1. The Board shall meet regularly on the third 
Monday of each month, at such hour as the Chairman may 
appoint. Special meetings shall be held at such times as the 
Board may order ; or whenever the Chairman may direct, as 
provided in Chapter II. 

Sec. 2. The Chairman shall declare the meeting adjourned 
at 10 o'clock P. M., whenever the Board may be in session 
at that hour. 

Sec. 3. At each meeting the Board shall come to order 
precisely at the time appointed, when, after reading the 
record of the preceding meeting, the Secretary shall call the 
roll and record the names of the members present. 

Sec. 4. One-half of the Board shall constitute a quorum 
for the transaction of business. 

Sec. 5. Every motion shall be. reduced to writing, if 
any member of the Board so request. 

Sec. 6. When a question is under debate, no motion 
shall be received but to adjourn ; to lay on the tahle ; for 
the previous question ; to postpone to a day certain ; to 
commit; to amend; ox to postpone indefinitely ; which sev- 
eral motions shall have precedence in the order in which they 
are above named. 



13 

Sec. 7. A motion to adjourn shall be always in order, 
unless a member has the floor, or a question has been put 
and not decided ; and shall be decided without debate ; -pro- 
vided that any member, who wishes to introduce new busi- 
ness, may state briefly his desire before the question is put 
on the motion to adjourn. 

Sec. 8. No member shall speak more than once, nor 
longer than ten minutes, on any question, until every mem- 
ber who chooses has spoken thereon. 

Sec. 9. Every member, being present when the question 
is put, shall vote thereon; unless the Board, for special 
reasons given before the vote is taken, shall excuse him. 

Sec. 10. The vote on any question shall be taken by 
yeas and nays, whenever one-third of the members present 
so require. 

Sec. 11. The Chairman shall vote in all cases of ballot; 
and whenever the Board is equally divided ; whenever his 
vote, if given with the minority, would defeat a measure ; 
and on proposed changes in books. 

Sec. 12. While a main question is still pending, any 
subsidiary vote relating thereto may be re-considered by the 
vote of a majority of the members present. But, when the 
main question has been decided, no motion to reconsider 
the same shall be made, except at the same meeting, or at 
the next meeting in pursuance of a notice given at the same 
meeting; and only one motion to reconsider any vote may 
be made at any one meeting. 

Sec. 13. All Select Committees shall be appointed by 
the Chair, unless, in any case, the Board otherwise order. 



14 

Sec. 14. Select Committees may, at the option of the 
Board, be appointed to consider and report upon any prop- 
ositions which are referable to Standing Committees under 
these Rules. 

Sec. 15. Whenever a Committee, to whom any subject 
has been referred, neglect to report within one month, or 
at the time at which they were instructed to report, the Board 
may proceed to act with regard to the subject referred without 
further delay. If a report recommend any specific action 
on the part of the Board, it shall do so in the form of an 
order or resolution. The acceptance of a report shall in no 
case be held to imply the adoption of the same or any part 
thereof. 

Sec. 16. No motion, authorizing the expenditure of a 
sum of money exceeding twenty-five dollars, shall be acted on 
at the same meeting at which it is introduced. 

.^^1^ Sec. 17. The consent of three fourths of the members 
present at any meeting shall be requisite for the suspension 
of any Rule of the Board, or Regulation of the Schools, 
unless the proposal for the same has lain on the table at 
least one week. 

Sec. 18. Any proposition involving the amendment or 
"" repeal of a Rule or Regulation, shall be referred to such 
Standing or Select Committee as the Board may designate 
to consider and report thereon. The proposed change shall 
be made, if a majority of the members present vote in favor 
thereof, provided that at least one week has elapsed since the 
proposal was made. 

Sec. 19. All questions of order which may arise, not 



15 

herein provided for, shall be decided by the Chak in accord- 
ance with parliamentary usage. Any member may appeal 
from the decision of the Chair, and such decision shall not 
stand, unless sustained by the vote of one-half the members 
present. 

Sec. 20. The Board shall sit with closed doors whenev- 
er, during the election of teachers or the transaction of other 
business involving the discussion of private character, one- 
third of the members thereof, present and voting, shall deem 
it advisable. 

Sec. 21. Eleven members shall constitute a quorum of 
the Board, and no official act of th§ Board shall be valid, 
unless sanctioned by the concurrent votes of the same num- 
ber.** 

So much of Sections 4, 17 and 18 of this Chapter, and 
so much of these Rules as is inconsistent herewith, is hereby 
repealed. 

CHAPTER VI. 

APPOIN"TMEM"T OF TEACHERS, AND THEIB 
SALARIES. 

Section 1. In July, annually, each Visiting Committee 
shall make a special written report, giving their opinion of 
the merits of the several teachers under their supervision, 
and shall in particular, with regard to each, recommend their 
continuance in office, or the contrary, as may seem best for 
the interests of the respective schools, except in the case of 
such as may have declined a reelection. They shall also 
recommend candidates to fill the places of those whom they 
do not propose for re-appointment. The Board shall then 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 3, §7. 6 Metcalf's Eeports, p. 343. 5 Cush. Eep's, 
p. 271. 7 Gray's Eep's, p. 465. 
But see 13 Metcalf's Eeports, p. 504. 7 Gray's Eep's, p. 131. 



16 

proceed to ballot for the choice of teachers, for each school 
separately. Eleven votes shall be necessary to elect." 

Teachers chosen as provided in this Section, shall enter 
upon their respective duties on the first day of September 
following, at which time the official term of all teachers shall 
be deemed to have expired.* 

Sec, 2. Whenever a vacancy is caused by death, resig- 
nation, or removal, in the office of Principal of any school, 
the Visiting Committee having charge of the division of 
schools in which the vacancy exists, shall report a candidate, 
or candidates, to the Board, after having made proper ex- 
amination, in conformity with the law of the Commonwealth, <= 
concerning the fitness of the persons whose names are report- 
ed. They shall state, also, whatever they may have ascer- 
tained concerning the qualifications of the candidates. The 
Board shall then proceed to ballot, and eleven votes shall be 
necessary to elect." 

Sec. 3. Whenever a vacancy is caused by death, resig- 
nation, or removal,^ in the office of Sub-Principal, or Assist- 
ant in any school, it shall be filled by the Visiting Committee 
having charge of such school. For this purpose, the Chair- 
man of the Committee, in connection with the Special Com- 
mittee of the school, after advising with the Principal, shall 
propose a candidate or candidates for election, and a majority 
of the votes cast shall be necessary to elect. All such ap- 
pointments shall be reported to the Board for approval at its 
next meeting, and shall no longer be valid if such approval 
be withheld. 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 3, §7. 6 Met. Rep's, p. 343. 5 Cush. Eep's, p. 271. 
7 Gray's Rep's, p. 465. Ante, ch. 5, §21. 

But see 18 Met. Reports, p. 504. 7 Gray's Rep's, p. 131. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38. §§23, 24, 25. 16 Mass. Rep's, p. 141. 

c. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §§23, 24, 25. 16 Mass. Rep's, p. 141. 4 Cush., p. 601. 
d Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §25. 



17 

See. 4. Whenever a teacher m any school is temporarily 
absent, the Special Committee of that school shall, if circum- 
stances render it expedient, appoint a substitute, who shall 
receive, for each week of service, two per cent of the yearly 
salary of the absent teacher, and proportionally for parts of a 
week; such compensation to be paid by the permanent 
teacher, or from the City treasury, as the Special Committee 
inay direct. In the latter case the amount thus paid shall 
be deducted from the salary of the permanent teacher. No 
substitute so appointed shall continue more than one month, 
unless approved by the Board. 

Sec. 5. In April, annually, the Executive Committee 
shall recommend the amount of salary to be paid to each 
member, and the Board shall then fix the salaries for the 
year commencing on the first of July next ensuing.* 

Sec. 6. No person shall be appointed, nor permitted, to 
teach in any school, except as herein provided. 

CHAPTER VII. 

BOOKS. 

Sec. 1 If any scholar is not provided by his parent, 
master or guardian, with the requisite books, he shall be sup- 
plied therewith in the manner following :^ The Principal of 
the school at which such scholar attends, shall send to such 
parent, master or guardian, a written notice, specifying the 
books required, with the prices thereof, and requesting that 
they may be furnished forthwith ; and the notice, if returned 
with a certificate from the parent, master or guardian, setting 
forth pecuniary disability or other good reason for not com- 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §23. 4 Cushing's Eeports, p. 599. 2 Allen's do. p. 
592. 7 Cushing's do. p. 478. 8 Cushing's do. p. 191. 11 Pickering's do. p. 
260. Law Reporter, vol. xxii, p. 213. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §30. 



18 

plying with such request, shall, after being submitted to the 
Special Committee of the school, and approved in writing 
by him, be a sufficient authority to the Principal to furnish 
such pupil with the books therein named at the cost of the 
city. And a copy of such notice, if not so returned within one 
week from the date thereof, shall be sent by the Principal to 
such Special Committee, whose approval, certified thereon, 
shall authorize the Principal to furnish the required books as 
above provided. 

Sec. 2. The Executive Committee shall make a written 
contract with one or more booksellers, for a supply of the 
books which it may become necessary to furnish at the ex- 
pense of the city, stipulating therein the prices of all the 
books required to be used in the several schools, and pre- 
scribing the form in which the accounts of the booksellers 
shall be kept and rendered." 

Sec. 3. The Principal shall keep a record of all the 
books furnished to pupils at the expense of the city, specify- 
ing the names of the recipient, and the parent, master or 
guardian ; the title and price of each book, and the date of 
the delivery ; and shall furnish a copy of such record, when 
requested by the Committee, or by the City Clerk, for the 
use of the City Assessors.^ 

Sec. 4. Whenever any books shall be recommended by 
a Visiting Committee for use in the schools under its charge, 
such recommendation shall not be acted on at the meeting 
of the Board at which it is made, but shall be in order at 
the next meeting at which fifteen members are present. *= 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §29. 13 Pickering's Reports, p, 229. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §31, and ante., ch. iii, §6. 

c. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §28. Stat. 1862, ch. 57. 



EEaULATIOirS OP THE SCHOOLS. 



CHAPTER I. 

PRIMARY AND INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS. 
Section 1. The Primary Schools shall receive such chil- 
dren, of not less than five years of age," as are not qualified 
to enter a higher school, and shall be devoted to elementary 
instruction in Reading, Spelling, Writing, Arithmetic, Yo- 
cal Music, and Drawing.* 

Sec. 2. The Intermediate Schools shall receive the more 
advanced pupils from the Primaries, and others equally 
qualified, and shall be devoted to more thorough and practi- 
cal instruction in the various studies pursued in the Prima- 
ries, with the addition of the rudiments of Geography; hav- 
ing special regard to the requirements prescribed for admis- 
sion to the Grammar Schools.* 

Sec. 3. Whenever it is deemed expedient, a Primary 
may be united with an Intermediate School, under one 
Principal, who shall have the general direction of the whole, 
but shall give special attention to instruction in the Inter- 
mediate department. 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 36, §3, ch. 38, §7, ch. 40, §3, and 16 Mass, Reports, 141. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §1. 10 Metcalf 's Reports, 508. 



20 

Sec. 4. Pupils shall be transferred from the Primary to 
the Intermediate Schools at the commencement of the school 
year, and at such other times as may seem expedient, under 
the direction of the Third Visiting Committee. 

Sec. 5. Each of these Schools shall receive pupils of 
both sexes, except that those occupying the same building 
with Grammar Schools composed of pupils of one sex, shall 
receive pupils of that sex only. 

Sec. 6. Each School shall be under the care of a female 
Principal, with such number of female assistants" as the 
Board may, at any time, consider necessary. 

CHAPTER II. 

GRAMMAB SCHOOLS. 

Section 1. The Grammar Schools shall be devoted to in- 
struction in Spelling, Reading, Writing, English Grammar, 
Composition, Arithmetic, Geography, History of the United 
States, and Good Behavior. The elements of Geometry, 
Book-Keeping, Physiology, Drawing, and Vocal Music, may 
be taught at the option of the Visiting Committee.^ 

Sec. 2. The Phillips, Hacker, Pickering, Browne and 
Bpes Schools shall each be under the care of a male Princi- 
pal. The three latter shall receive both boys and girls; the 
two former shall receive boys only. The Bentley and Hig- 
ginson Schools shall each be under the care of a female 
Principal, and shall receive girls only. 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §9. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §1. Law Keporter, Vol. xxii, p. 307. 10 Metcalf s 
Reports, p. 508. 



21 

Sec. 3. To each School shall be assigned such number 
of female assistants^ as the Board may, at any time, deem ne- 
cessary. If the circumstances of any School so require, one 
assistant in such School may be designated as Sub-Principal. 

Sec. 4. For admission into, these Schools, the candidate 
shall be required to read, at sight, easy prose, enunciating 
clearly and accurately ; to distinguish by name the several 
marks of Punctuation, and to have a practical knowledge of 
their more obvious signification and uses; to write legibly, 
from dictation, common words of not more than three sylla- 
bles, and short sentences, with due attention to Spelling, 
Punctuation, and the use of Capitals ; to answer promptly 
simple questions in the Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, 
and Division of abstract numbers ; to perform mental opera- 
tions in Arithmetic, similar to those contained in the first six 
sections of Colburn's First Lessons; to write, from dictation, 
numbers not exceeding ten millions, and to add, subtract, 
and multiply, (when the multiplier does not exceed ten,) 
by the usual methods of written Arithmetic ; to understand 
the use of the Roman Numerals; and to pass a satisfactory 
examination in elementary Geography.* 

The examination of candidates for admission, shall be 
conducted by the Principals of the respective Grrammar 
Schools, in such manner as the Second Visiting Committee 
may direct, and shall take place on the Monday following 
the annual Thanksgiving Day ; but applicants may be ad- 
mitted at any other time who were unable to attend the reg- 
ular examination, and are qualified to join one of the classes. 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §9. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §§12, 14. 10 Metcalf s Keports, p. 508. 



22 

Sec. 6. Pupils in the higher classes of the Grammar 
Schools, shall be furnished at least once a month, with an 
abstract of the record of their standing in studies and deport- 
ment, which shall be made up by the Teacher in accordance 
with a form to be prescribed by the Second Visiting Commit- 
tee. 

CHAPTER III. 

THE HIGH SCHOOL. 

Section 1. The High School shall be devoted to the in- 
struction of pupils of both sexes in Penmanship, Drawing, 
Elocution, Book-keeping, the Composition and Literature of 
the English and Latin Languages, Arithmetic, Algebra, 
Geometry, Trigonometry, Surveying, Physiology, Botany, 
Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, the Civil Polity of this 
Commonwealth and of the United States, General History, 
and Music. 

One or more teachers shall be employed therein, who shall 
be competent to give to pupils fitting for College, and others 
who may desire it, instruction in the Greek, French, Spanish, 
and German Languages, in Rhetoric, Logic, Natural His- 
tory, Geology, Astronomy, Intellectual and Moral Science, 
and Political Economy.** 

Sec. 2. There shall be an Annual Examination for ad- 
mission to the school on the Monday following the Annual 
Thanksgiving Day, and a supplementary examination on the 
Thursday following, for the benefit of those who for any good 
reason may fail to do themselves justice at the earlier trial. 

a. Gen. Stat, ch, 38, §§2, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 14. 10 Metcalf s Reports, p. 508, 
and 11 Cushing's Reports, p. 178. Law Reporter, vol. xxii, p. 307. 



23 

Sec, 3. The Examination « shall consist of oral exercises 
in Spelling, Reading and Parsing, including the theory of 
Punctuation ; and of written exercises in Arithmetic, English 
Grammar, Modern Geography, and the History of the 
United States; and the same shall be conducted by the 
Principal and his associates, under the direction of the First 
Visiting Committee. 

Sec. 4. No child under twelve years of age shall 
be allowed to apply, ^ nor shall any candidate be received 
without a written certificate of good moral character and of 
creditable rank from his or her last Teacher or Teachers, '' 
who shall also certify in writing that the pupil thus apply- 
ing is reasonably well qualified for admission to the School ; 
and all candidates who are graduates of the public Gram- 
mar Schools, shall present abstracts of the record of their 
standing in said schools. 

No candidate shall be examined, who does not intend to 
enter, if found qualified to do so. 

Sec. 5. All children admitted shall be regarded as on 
probation for the space of three months, after which, if their 
deportment and proficiency are approved, they shall be duly 
enrolled on the Register of the School."^ 

Sec. 6. The School shall be divided into three distinct 
forms, to be denominated respectively the Junior, the Mid- 
dle, and the Senior Classes. The course of study for each 
class shall continue for one year, ending with the Annual 
Examination in November. 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 41, §4. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §§7, 8, 33, ch. 41, §4. 

c. 8 Cushing's Reports, p. 160. 5 Cush, Rep. p. 198. 

d. Gen. Stat. ch. 40, §§5 and 13. ch. 41, §4. 



24 

Sec. 7. The course of study shall comprise, in the 
modern department, Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trig- 
onometi-y. Surveying, Book-Keeping, Chemistry, Physical 
Geography, Botany, Astronomy, Natural History and Phi- 
losophy, Physiology, Penmanship and Drawing, the Composi- 
tion and Literature of the English and French Languages, 
History, the Constitution of the United States, and Moral and 
Intellectual Philosophy. It shall comprise, in the classical 
department, the Greek and Latin Languages, and Ancient 
History and Geography ; with the addition, in both depart- 
ments, of such of the studies enumerated in Section 1, or 
hereafter required or authorized by law," as the First Visiting 
Committee may from time to time direct. 

Any pupil who shall, with a view to entering College, or 
for other sufficient reasons, desire to complete the course of 
study in less than three years, or to continue his connection 
with the High School for a longer period, shall be permitted 
to do so by the First Visiting Committee, on written recom- 
mendation of the master. 

Every pupil, who shall upon a thorough examination 
prove to have creditably completed the prescribed Course of 
Study, and no others, shall be entitled to a Diploma at the 
time of graduation. 

Sec. 8. The officers of this School shall consist of a 
Master, with such assistants^ as may from time to time be 
authorized by the Board. 

CHAPTER IV. 

AREANGEMENT OF SCHOOL TIME. 
Sec, 1. The School Year shall be divided into two terms, 

a. Stat. 1862, ch. 7. b. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §9. 



25 

the first commencing on the Monday following the Annual 
Thanksgiving Day, and concluding on the Saturday preced- 
ing the last Wednesday in May ; the second commencing 
on the Monday following the last Wednesday in May, and 
concluding on the Saturday preceding the Annual Thanks- 
giving Day. 

Sec. 2. From April 1st to October 1st, except as pro- 
vided in Section 11, the school exercises shall commence in 
the forenoon at 8 o'clock and conclude at 11 o'clock. From 
October 1st to April 1st, they shall commence at 9 o'clock 
and conclude at 12 o'clock. The afternoon exercises shall 
commence at 2 o'clock and conclude at 5 o'clock throughout 
the year, except between November 1st and February 1st, 
when they shall conclude at 4 o'clock, the recess being omit- 
ted. 

Sec. 3. The regular Vacations," except as provided in Sec- 
tion 11, shall be as follows, viz: — The week commencing 
with the first Monday in March ; the week including the last 
Wednesday of May ; four weeks commencing with the first 
Monday in August; and the week including the Annual 
Thanksgiving Day. 

Sec. 4. The following Holidays shall be allowed, viz : — 
Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, the Twenty-Second of 
February, Fast Day, May Day, the Fourth of July and 
Christmas Day. 

Sec. 5. No other than the regular Vacations and Holi- 
days shall be allowed, except that the Chairman may, upon 
special occasions, close the schools for a part, or the whole, 
of a day : provided, also, that each school may, for reasons 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §§1, 2. 



26 

peculiar to itself, be dismissed by order of its Special Com- 
mittee, for two half days in each semi-annual term, and not 
oftener. 

Sec. 6. Teachers shall in no case suspend or abridge 
the ordinary sessions, except for extraordinary and impera- 
tive reasons, alffecting the health or safety of their pupils. 

Sec. 7. There shall be a recess of fifteen minutes in the 
course of each half day's session of the schools, except as 
provided in Section 2, and no pupil shall be deprived of any 
part thereof, unless for habitual misconduct at recess. 

Sec. 8. Whenever it shall seem proper on account of ex- 
treme severity of the weather, the Principal of any school 
may hold but one session, to continue for four and one half 
hours, instead of the two usual sessions of the day. 

Sec. 9. In each school, all the teachers thereof shall be 
present, the doors shall be opened, and the pupils permitted 
to take their seats," at least ten minutes before the time fixed 
for commencing the exercises. 

Sec. 10. Teachers are authorized to detain their pupils 
beyond the regular school hours, for the purpose of disci- 
pline, or of additional instruction, especially in the case of 
omitted or imperfect lessons. 

Sec. 11. The High School shall hold single daily ses- 
sions, commencing, from March 1st to November 1st, at 8 
o'clock A. M., and for the remainder of the year at 8^ 
o'clock A. M., and closing at 1 o'clock P. M., throughout 
the year. Its Summer Yacation shall comprise the six 
weeks immediately preceding the first Monday in September, 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §§33, 36, 40, 41. 



27 

and its Teachers may require the attendance of pupils at 
such hours in the afternoon as they may appoint, whenever, 
under the provisions of Section 10, any considerable deten- 
tion becomes necessary. 

CHAPTER V. 

DISCIPLINE OF THE SCHOOLS AKTD DITTIES OF 

TEACHERS. 

Section 1. It shall be the duty of all teachers, in obedi- 
ence to the law of the Commonwealth, *'to exert their best 
endeavors to impress on the minds of children and youth, 
committed to their care and instruction, the principles of 
piety and justice, and a sacred regard to truth ; love of their 
country, humanity and universal benevolence ; sobriety, in- 
dustry, and frugality ; chastity, moderation, and temperance; 
and those other virtues, which are the ornament of human 
society, and the basis on which a republican constitution is 
founded ; and it shall be the duty of such instructors to en- 
deavor to lead their pupils, as their ages and capacities will 
admit, into a clear understanding of the tendency of the 
above mentioned virtues, to preserve and perfect a republican 
constitution, and secure the blessings of liberty, as well as 
to promote their future happiness, and also to point out to 
them the evil tendency of the opposite vices."" 

Sec. 2. The morning exercises, in all the schools, shall 
commence with the reading of some portion of the Bible, 
without written note or oral comment, by the teacher ; but 
no book shall be read from by any scholar, whose pa- 
rent or guardian shall declare that he has conscientious scru- 
ples against allowing him to read therefrom.* 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §10. Constitution, ch. v, §ii. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 41, §9. Const, amended, Art. xviii. Stat. 1862, ch. 67. 



28 

Sec. 3. The discipline to be maintained in the schools, 
shall be such as is exercised by a kind, judicious, and faith- 
ful parent in his family; and corporal punishment shall be 
avoided except in extreme cases. 

Sec. 4. For violent or continued opposition to authority, 
or for setting at defiance any of the regulations, the Princi- 
pal may exclude a scholar, for the time being, from school, 
and report the case forthwith to the Special Committee of 
the school, for advice and direction,** at the same time giving 
notice of such exclusion to the parent or guardian. 

When the example of any pupil is very injurious, and, in 
all cases where reformation appears hopeless, it shall be the 
duty of the said Committee to suspend such pupil from the 
school, and to report such action to the Board at its next 
meeting.^ But any child under this public censure, who 
shall express regret for his folly or indiscretion, as open- 
ly and explicitly as, in the opinion of the Committee, the 
nature of the case may require, and shall give satisfactory 
evidence of amendment, and whose parents or guardian 
shall promise their cooperation in the due enforcement of all 
the Regulations, shall, with the previous consent of said Com- 
mittee, be reinstated in the privileges of the school. No 
pupil shall be expelled from any school unless by vote of 
the Board. 

Sec. 5. To promote the well-being of their pupils, it 
shall be the duty of the Teachers, as far as it is practicable, 
to exercise a general inspection over them, as well out of 
school, '^ as within its walls. 

a. Ante, Rules, ch. iii, §4. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 41, H9, 10, 11, 12. 28 Pickering's Reports, p. 224. 5 
Cushing's Reps. p. 198. 8 Cush. Rep. p. 160, c. 8 Cush. Reps. p. 164. 



29 

See. 6. As punctuality of attendance is indispensable 
to the success of a school, it is important to maintain the 
principle that necessity alone can justify absence*^ or tardiness, 
in every instance of which, a written excuse or personal ex- 
planation, stating the cause thereof, shall be required of the 
parent, master, or guardian. 

Sec. 7. No pupil shall attend school in any district other 
than that in which his parent or guardian resides, except upon 
vote of the Board in special cases. ^ But if a pupil, attend- 
ing school in one district, shall remove to another, he shall 
be permitted to continue in such school until the close of the 
school year. 

When a pupil is transferred from one school to another of 
the same grade, a certificate shall be furnished by the Princi- 
pal of the school which such pupil has attended, stating the 
cause of the transfer and the standing of the pupil; and 
upon the presentation of such certificate, such scholar shall 
be received into the school to which he has been transferred, 
and admitted to such standing as he may be able to sustain. 
No pupil shall be admitted to the privileges of one school 
who has been expelled from another, or while under sentence 
of suspension, unless by a vote of the Board. '^ 

Sec. 8. Teachers shall have constant regard to the 
health, comfort, and general physical welfare of their pupils, 
and shall encourage and enforce habits of neatness and 
cleanliness. Some physical exercise shall be introduced in 
the course of each session. During inclement weather the 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, Ul- ch. 41, §2. ch. 42, §§1, 2, 4, 6, and 7. Stat- 
utes, 1862, chapters 21 and 207. 

b. Gen. Stat. ch. 41, §§3, 5, 6, 7. 8 Cushing's Keports, p. 66. 12 Pick- 
ering's Reports, p. 206. c. 8 Cushing's Reports, p. 160. 



30 

pupils shall be permitted at recess to take sucb exercise and 
recreation as may be practicable within the school-buildings. 
Particular care shall be taken at all times that the rooms 
are properly ventilated." 

Any pupil who may be exposed to the influence of any 
contagious disease, and whose presence at school would 
therefore endanger the health of others, shall be suspended 
from school so long as may be necessary.* 

No child shall be admitted into, or allowed to remain in 
any school, without a certificate from a physician, or other 
satisfactory evidence, that such child has been duly vacci- 
nated.*^ 

Sec. 9. Pupils attending the Primary, Intermediate and 
Grammar Schools shall not be required by the teachers to 
study any lesson or perform any task out of school, except 
in cases of culpable neglect of such lesson or task during 
school hours. 

Sec. 10. Teachers shall have a general oversight of the 
school-houses, out-buildings, and grounds, and shall give 
immediate notice to the Special Committee, whenever any 
injuries have been committed, or repairs are needed.^ The 
pupils shall be held responsible for any damage they may do 
to the school-buildings or grounds. 

Sec. 11. In every school the Register prescribed by the 
law of the Commonwealth shall be faithfully kept, together 
with all such Class-Books and other Records as may be pre- 
scribed by the Visiting Committee.^ 

a. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, §36. b. 5 Cushing's Keports, p. 198. c Gen. Stat, 
ch. 41, §8. d. Gen. Stat. ch. 38, ^36, 40. 41. Ordinance, 1857, as to 
Snow. e. Gen. Stat. ch. 36, §3. ch. 38, §31. ch. 40, §§5, 13. ^/i«e, Ku les, 
ch. vii, §3. 2 Allen's Eeports, p. 592. 



31 

See. 12. In every school a Record shall be kept in 
which every case of Corporal Punishment shall be entered, 
■with the pupil's name, the offence, the date, the mode and 
degree of punishment ; and such record shall be subject to 
inspection by members of the Committee only. It shall be 
preserved until the Committee otherwise order, and an ab- 
stract thereof shall be included in the semi-annual return. 

Sec. 13. At the close of each term the Principal^ of 
each school shall carefully fill up a semi-annual Return, of 
which a blank form shall have been furnished by the Execu* 
tive Committee," and shall deliver the same to the Special 
Committee of the school, on or before the day immediately 
succeeding the close of each term. 

Sec. 14. The Principals of the several schools shall, in 
addition to the duties of instruction in their special depart- 
ments, maintain a careful general oversight of the whole of 
their respective schools; shall assign to each assistant such 
duties as may seem proper; shall regulate the classification 
and promotion of the pupils, and assign the studies and 
other exercises of the several classes; and shall examine all 
the classes as often as practicable. They shall keep their 
respective Special Committees fully informed of all matters 
affecting the character and welfare of their schools; shall 
afford every facility that may be required for the purpose of 
examination ; and shall lend such assistance to the Commit- 
tee in the performance of their official duties as may inci- 
dentally be in their power. 

The Sub-Principals and Assistants in each school shall be 
under the direction of the Principal, with whom they shall 

a. Ante, Kules, ch. iv, §1. 



32 

cooperate in all things pertaining to discipline and instrue- 
tion. They shall be responsible for the order and instruc- 
tion of their respective divisions, and shall discipline their 
own pupils, except in extreme cases of disorder. 

Sec. 15. No teacher shall be absent during school hours, 
except with the approbation of the Special Committee of the 
school. 

^ny teacher who is necessarily absent from duty, shall 
give immediate notice to the Special Committee, in order 
that a substitute may be employed, if necessary. Teachers 
shall in no case appoint substitutes." 

Sec. 16. No person shall, within the school buildings or 
grounds, and no teacher^ shall at any time, sell any book, 
map, or other article of school apparatus or stationery, to 
any pupil of the Public Schools. 

Sec. 17. No person shall, without the permission of the 
Special Committee, read or distribute any advertisement, or 
give notice in any way, to the pupils of any school, of books 
or other articles for sale, or of any public exhibition or per- 
formance ; nor enter any school for the purpose of exhibit- 
ing, either to teacher or pupils, any new book or article of 
apparatus, or to address the school; nor shall subscrip- 
tions or contributions, for any purpose whatever, be permit- 
ted in any public school. 

Sec. 18. No text book shall be used in any school, un- 
less directed to be used by a vote of the Board.'' 

a. Ante, Rules, ch. vi, §4, b. 13 Pickering's Reports, 229. c. Gen. Stat. 
ch. 38, §28. Statutes, 1862, ch. 57, and Ante, §2. 



